Ofcom Decides Not to Stop BT's New Full-Fiber Broadband Pricing Scheme
24 May 2023 - 05:14PM
Dow Jones News
By Joe Hoppe
The U.K.'s Office of Communications said Wednesday that it has
decided not to prevent BT Group's Openreach pricing offer for
full-fiber broadband, as it doesn't consider it to be
anti-competitive.
The regulator said its decision on the new wholesale Equinox 2
pricing offer for internet service providers takes into account a
range of evidence, including responses to its public
consultation.
It said it took into account the effects on citizens and
consumers, finding it was consistent in promoting investment, that
the terms don't create a potential barrier to using alternate
networks, and that internet service providers are likely to benefit
from network-based competition, among other factors.
Openreach has informed Ofcom in response to concerns raised that
it plans to make certain commitments regarding future conduct,
including not having any current plans to change Equinox 2 rental
prices and no intention to initiate further changes until at least
March 2026.
Ofcom's overriding objective is to bring better broadband to
people across the U.K., by promoting competitive investment in
high-speed networks and making sure there's a level playing field
for all companies, an Ofcom spokesperson said.
"With this in mind, and based on the evidence available to us,
we don't consider Openreach's new pricing discounts to be
anti-competitive," the spokesperson said.
Write to Joe Hoppe at joseph.hoppe@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
May 24, 2023 02:59 ET (06:59 GMT)
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